Elistair’s Khronos DroneBox integrates with Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel to give operators a shore-controlled, persistent view from the deck up.
Elistair and Exail have partnered to integrate the Khronos automated tethered DroneBox on Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel, delivering tethered drone maritime surveillance from an autonomous platform. The pairing gives naval, coast guard and port security operators a persistent aerial view launched directly from the deck of the vessel, while personnel remain on shore.
Tethered drone maritime surveillance from an autonomous deck
Khronos launches from the DriX and uses a “follow-me” mode to stay stationed over the vessel while under way, according to Elistair. Powered through its tether, the drone can fly for up to 24 hours at a height of 60 meters (approximately 197 feet) and streams live, encrypted video over a secure data link, delivering real-time imagery even in contested and GNSS-denied environments. Both the DriX and Khronos can be operated remotely from shore.
The configuration extends the surveillance horizon far beyond the reach of surface radar and cameras, the companies said, and is suited to coastal surveillance, port and critical-infrastructure protection, counter-trafficking operations and search and rescue.
Executives on the DriX integration
“Integrating a tethered drone on an autonomous vessel marks a major step forward for maritime surveillance,” said Guilhem de Marliave, chief executive of Elistair. “Surface sensors stop at the horizon; flown from the DriX, Khronos lifts that limit with a persistent, mobile view that stays airborne for hours. For operators, that means wider coverage and earlier detection, with no crew at sea.”
“DriX was designed as an open platform, able to integrate new payloads as operational needs evolve,” said Stéphane Vannuffelen, maritime autonomy solution technical director at Exail. “The integration of Khronos adds a persistent aerial perspective to the vessel’s existing surveillance capabilities, significantly extending the monitored area.”
Building on Khronos partnerships
The DriX integration extends Khronos beyond its land- and ground-vehicle-based deployments. Elistair previously paired the system with Rheinmetall Canada’s Mission Master family of unmanned ground vehicles for convoy escort and reconnaissance, and with ARX Robotics’ GEREON RCS UGV for military ISR. Khronos also took part in France’s ORION 2026 joint military exercise earlier this year, providing persistent aerial surveillance during multi-domain operations involving 12,500 troops and 1,200 drones.
About Elistair
Elistair designs tethered drones for persistent surveillance and tactical communications. The company’s products are deployed by armed forces, law enforcement, civil security agencies and private security companies in more than 70 countries for event protection, perimeter surveillance, border security and pop-up communications networks, including past contracts with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement. Elistair operates from France and North Carolina.
More information is available at Elistair.
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